MS History
The History Department immerses students in the cultures of our planet and helps them to understand how and why the world works the way it does today by examining the past. Students are also challenged to explore what is known about history, to uncover bias, and ultimately question whose voices are missing. In addition, they learn to communicate about the past through many different forms. Through research, formal and creative writing, debate, and more, students develop the competencies to think like historians. Students’ ability to apply these skills every day helps them to better understand the world of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
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This course studies world geography, with a focus on land and cultures in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Students will be introduced to the tools of geography and learn how to apply and show relationships between people and places. Through an exploration of many diverse cultures and places, students learn valuable writing and research skills while becoming knowledgeable and concerned global citizens.
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This course provides students with a survey of American history, spanning from the many 15th century cultures at play in Age of Discovery, all the way through the modern era of post-World War II America. Students grapple with historical dilemmas at every turn as the unique story of American history unfolds. Along the way, the course emphasizes student-driven inquiry and argumentative writing so students can construct their own meaning, opinions, and concepts of all that it means to be an American.
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(This 8th grade US History course is a continuation of the 7th grade US History course that focuses on US history up through the mid-20th century.)
The 8th grade US History class is a thematic and skills-based study of the movements, trends, events, institutions, and people who influenced the history of the United States from the early to mid-20th century to the present. Using primary and secondary source materials, as well as clear and effective discussion protocols, students develop historical writing and thinking skills including contextualization, corroboration, cause and effect, and sourcing as they work to understand decisions made during the period. Rather than simply being presented with historical facts, students grapple with events from different perspectives to understand why decisions were made and their impacts on various groups of Americans. Students also discover how the Constitution and its changing interpretation throughout history framed events, and they learn about their rights and responsibilities as citizens living in a democracy.
Catherine CarperChair, MS Arts; MS Geography; MS Dance; MS Performing Arts
